I just wanted to introduce myself. I started playing violin as an adult in the mid 90's. I played for about 3 years and then moved to a small town with no violin teacher. I am currently a 4th grade teacher on a reservation and how my principal knew I once upon a time played violin is beyond me. Anyway, anytime you have done something in the past means you are now the ____ teacher. Yeah you guessed it, I now also teach beginning violin to a small group of 9 students with a viola player as my back up. I wanted her to teach but she does not read treble clef haha...(like I do...) These kids have never seen a violin in person, let alone held one, so I figured I would mostly be OK. There is also a second "music teacher" (she is really the 7th grade teacher) who is reads music and can transpose and tells me all the time if I am in tune or not. She is my go to to make sure I am doing it right. Anyway that is what inspired me to pick up the violin last spring after 20 years. I figured if I have to show kids how to play I better be back in the grove so to speak. Our town also now has a music store (mostly guitars) and a violin teacher yay!. I have been back at with lessons and all for 6 months. I am also back to where I left off 20 years ago. When it comes back it comes back fast! I have also found a group to play with and we are having a concert in March - Yikes! Playing in front of people is scary to think about.

I also wanted to add that I just got my Fiddlerman Artist Violin. Wow that was crazy fast! I wish you all could of seen my teacher's face light up when she heard it! She was really impressed. But more importantly I love it. So much so I actually played it for my husband. I have never played for him before because I have always been to embarrassed to do so. Not sure why, I stick my neck out playing in front of 5-8th graders daily.

Anyway, I just though I would say hi, not try to write a book. Maybe I will get brave and make a video of what I am working on. I am really stretching myself trying to learn Unchained Melody in 3rd position and vibrato at the same time. The 3rd position is way easier...

Mark

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November 29, 2017 - 12:15 am

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Donnaf,

Welcome to the forum, I commend you on teaching, not an easy task and taking the challenge to teach the violin. Thank you.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

Ferenc Simon

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November 29, 2017 - 12:22 am

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Hi! 🙂

That's a really nice introduction! I love it how you were brave enough to step up and start teaching violin even though you were doubting your own abilities 🙂 And you were right to do so.. since you don't have to be a master at something in order to teach it as long as you have information that's new to the student 🙂

Also congrats on the FM Artist, I hope you'll post that video soon so we can hear it in action 🙂 And last but not least, regarding vibrato... In my opinion the most important aspect is not being afraid of it. I find that people build up this big 'fear' of vibrato in their heads from being told / reading that it's an advanced technique and you need several years of violin play before you can even attempt it... then they try and it's not working on the first attempts so they confirm in their heads that 'Indeed this is too hard for me...' and they delay the further attempts.. But you have to remember.. vibrato is just another motion (one that we're not used to, but still just a motion), the same way you learned how to bow you can learn it and like the bowing... it's more in the 'easy to learn, but hard to master.. ' category.

In any case, welcome to the forums and I hope you'll enjoy it here 🙂

Cheers!

Ferenc

AndrewH

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November 29, 2017 - 2:49 am

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Welcome! I love what you're doing, being the first-ever string teacher in a school. It sounds like you're growing into the job!

I wish there was someone like you around when I was younger -- I started late because I grew up in Dubai, where I never even saw a violin until my last year there, when I was 11 or 12. No need for a master violinist, just having someone who could teach the basics would have been a big improvement.

damfino

oHIo, USA

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November 29, 2017 - 8:34 am

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Welcome to the forum 🙂 How awesome that you get the chance to introduce children to the violin 🙂

Congrats on your new violin 🙂 Look forward to seeing you around here.

☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆On a journey to learn the fiddle since July 24, 2015☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Fiddlerman

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November 29, 2017 - 1:03 pm

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DonnaF said
.........I also wanted to add that I just got my Fiddlerman Artist Violin. Wow that was crazy fast! I wish you all could of seen my teacher's face light up when she heard it! She was really impressed. But more importantly I love it. So much so I actually played it for my husband. I have never played for him before because I have always been to embarrassed to do so. Not sure why, I stick my neck out playing in front of 5-8th graders daily........

Thanks for that review. I'm glad your husband knows you better now. 😉

I loved your introduction and really happy to hear that you are back on your violin learning journey. Also, happy to hear that you are helping to form young future violinists. 🙂

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the post!

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

zpilot

Kansas City, Mo.

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November 30, 2017 - 1:05 pm

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Hello and good for you.

You were embarrassed to play for your husband because you care very much what his opinion is. That's a good sign.

coolpinkone

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December 2, 2017 - 2:16 pm

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Hello and Welcome .. What a lovely introduction. Enjoy the forum and we all look forward to hearing more of your violin Journey. Cheers. Toni

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Cearbhael

Minnesota

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December 3, 2017 - 11:40 am

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Welcome to the forum Donna! We all are sharing the same journey here! We love our violin and a good portion of us are adult learners! You will get lots of positive feedback here, since we are all working through something or other, we all are our own worst critic and we all have insecurities! Last thing anyone needs is anyone giving negative criticism! There are lots of opportunities to get positive live experience through Strings on Sunday and other projects that are out there.